Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives on the Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) in first half action at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Dec 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

In a crazy turnaround, the Los Angeles Clippers (9-10) beat the Golden State Warriors (9-11) 113-112. The Warriors led for almost the entire game and it came down to the final seconds. Draymond Green attempted a shot from downtown with 8.9 seconds left on the clock that fell short. There would be no buzzer-beater for Golden State. They had blown a 22 point lead.

Saturday, the Warriors took on the Clippers for an afternoon rematch at Crypto.com Arena. Last Thursday the two teams met at Chase Center with the Warriors prevailing 120-114. Warrior guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson led the Warriors in that win; Curry with 26 and Thompson with 22.

Game recap: The Warriors had a nice start in the opening quarter leading after the first 33-22. Draymond Green had an exceptional quarter hitting 4 of 5 from downtown. The Clippers have a loaded starting roster with three Titans Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden but despite that Golden State held them to 38% shooting while the Warriors had a great offensive start shooting 55% in the quarter.

Golden State kept the pressure on in the second quarter leading at the half by the score of 67-48 a 19 point lead. They won the quarter 34-26 and after two quarters had control of this game with a great offensive effort. They did have ten turnovers in the first half but despite that they were in complete control throughout the two opening quarters of play.

The Clippers had some work to do in this game and started to roll in the third quarter. The 22 point lead that the Warriors had in the game was cut to two points 87-85 with 41 seconds left on the clock in the third.

The Warriors pushed back and after three quarters had a 92-85 lead. The Clippers were now shooting at 46 percent to the Warriors 47% in a Los Angeles turnaround. The Clippers had won the third quarter 37-25.

This game came down to the fourth quarter. The Clippers had really turned this game around continuing to hang around but unable to take the lead; in fact they had not led once in this game so far.

Shots from downtown were clearly in favor of the Warriors with Golden State shooting at 45 % to the Clippers 33%; the Warriors hitting 16 from beyond the arc. With five minutes left in the game it was a five point game with the Warriors hanging on 105-99.

Los Angeles was coming up with some crazy defensive sequences but just could not get on top of Golden State. With 38.1 left in the game, the Warriors had a 112-108 lead. An untimely turnover at the end of the game plus a Clipper foul made things awfully tough for Los Angeles but they refused to back down.

With 8.9 seconds left on the clock, the Clippers took their first lead of the game 113-112. George made the shot of the game for Los Angeles hitting a 3-pointer with less than nine seconds remaining.

When it really mattered it came down to a potential game-winning 3-pointer from Green. The shot fell short and there would be no buzzer-beater for the Warriors. The Clippers won the fourth quarter 28-20 really coming to life and winning this game 113-112.

It was tale of two halves. The first half was all Warriors and in the second half the Clippers made a lot of winning plays to set up this win. Curry had the high for the Warriors with 22 points. Both Green and Moses Moody had 21 points apiece. The Warriors made 17 3-pointers in this game, with four each from Green, Curry and Thompson.

The Big Three for the Clippers had some terrific offense with 25 points scored by George. Harden finished with 21 points and Leonard had 20 points. After trailing for almost the entirety of this game, this win for the Clippers was most unexpected especially when the Warriors had a 112-108 lead with 38 seconds left on the clock. The Clippers had avenged the loss they had taken at Chase last Thursday.

This was a huge disappointment for the Warriors. They will have a few off days before they take on the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night at Chase Center. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.